The plan to bring a Trader Joe's to Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is dead again.

Representatives of the specialty grocer called Mayor Charlie Hales' office Friday to say they won't reconsider a proposal to build on a two-acre property owned by the Portland Development Commission.

“I told them it was a shame because that section of Portland is vibrant and on the rise,” Hales said in a statement. “We’re confident that another, similar project will happen there, and I’m dedicated to making that happen.”

As WW reported last month, Hales tried to resurrect the PDC's deal to sell a city-owned property at Northeast Alberta Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to California-based developer Majestic Realty as the site of a Trader Joe's.

Hales' office says it wants Majestic to continue as developer on the project—and the mayor still wants a grocer there.

“Majestic knows the site, they know the players, and they know the issues of concern," Hales says. "If we want to fast-track a development that meets the needs of the neighbors, the business community, and the city, then Majestic should take the lead.”

"In the low usage areas, we found that our vehicles sit idle four times longer, ultimately affecting overall vehicle availability for the Portland membership base, as well as parking for the Portland community."

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